Guide To The World of Computer Language

Posted by on 25 April 2014

Let's face it, not everyone is familiar with the definition of computer applications, software and other computer terms. Not everyone knows how an entire social media site is managed or how a famous company's webpage could look so amazing. But as the world of information technology becomes intertwined with our daily lives, it is important that we at least get to know some basic terms used in the IT world.

Two of the most widely searched terms in the internet are web designs and web development. Some might think that they have the same meaning. But the truth is, they are two different processes needed for website making and they require two different skills. To better understand them, let us break down their components.   

Job Description: Web Design vs. Web Development

Web design deals with the overall look and layout of the entire website. Designers make use of various programs or applications such as Adobe Kuler and Adobe Photoshop to create and achieve the perfect visual aspect of the site. When creating a website, it is imperative that they take into consideration what the client wants to achieve with the website.        

On the other hand, web development handles the technical aspect of the website ensuring its functions are correct and working properly. Developers use scripts or programming languages such as HTML, Javascript or CSS to write functions. In this stage, they no longer need to consult and seek the client's approval.  

Scope of the Job: Web Design vs. Web Development      

Web designers start by creating the entire layout by using information architecture (IA). Through IA, designers can have a guide or a blueprint to make it easier to start the designing process. There are several designing principles that can be utilized to create a visually attractive layout and also provide easy user interface.      

  • Unity - The main goal is to create a unified site that aims to deliver a single message across the user. This is important because a successful design should complement each element. 
  • Balance - There is a saying that for everything to work out harmoniously there should be an equal balance. For web design, using the correct proportions of heavy and light elements is crucial for a balanced design. 
  • Hierarchy - As viewer's attention span is limited to six seconds, it is important to get them interested fast and quick. By using hierarchy, you will be able to guide them from the most significant parts to the least important. 
  • Contrast - Contrast is needed to highlight the key factors and add diversity. Creating the perfect balance between similarity and contrast is important to maintain a viewer's attention. 
  • Emphasis - Just like contrast, by putting emphasis on a particular point you are highlighting its importance and you want it to stand out. But be wary of putting emphasis all over the website as you might end up confusing the viewers.

Developers for their part take the newly designed website and then proceed to “animate” it. By using programming languages, they are able to create codes or sets of instructions that automatically do a specific task. HTML is the simplest way of encoding and does not need any sophisticated software. Other programming languages such as PHP, Fantom and AppleScript can also be used. Lastly, developers can opt to use a more advanced program like Content Management System to help clients easily manage a centralized collaborative workflow.  


In Conclusion 

Web design deals more with the aesthetic look and usability of the website by using tools such as wire frames, specs and layouts. On the other hand, web development deals with the technical side ensuring the website's functionality by using programming languages to execute commands and instructions. Although there are some who can do both designing and programming, it doesn't imply that either one is automatically capable of doing both. That is why companies who wish to hire a web company for a specific task must know which one to correctly hire.  



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